Rahul Gandhi’s Dharamsala rally cancelled

Inclement weather conditions prevailing in Northern India have forced to cancellation of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) vice-president Rahul Gandhi's rally in Dharamsala scheduled to be held on March 8.

The rally was to mark the beginning of the party's campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state. Though party officials have not given any valid reason for rally's cancellation, sources said AICC was apprehensive over the bad weather condition prevailing in the region.

“Rahul's Dharamsala rally has been postponed. The rally will be organised later this month or next month.

Final date for the rally will be announced very soon,” said Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) general secretary Harbhajan Singh Bhajji adding tight schedule could be the reason.

Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to arrive at Dharamsala in helicopter and bad weather could have hampered the plans. “The rally could be held after the announcement of general elections,” said party sources.

Meanwhile, preparations for the rally were in full swing and security arrangements had been stepped up to avoid any untoward incident. An advance team of special protection group (SPG) was scheduled to arrive at Dharamsala on Tuesday to review the security arrangements.

HPCC president Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had already held meetings with party officials across the state. He had also visited the venue, Police Ground, three days ago.

Besides addressing the public meeting, Gandhi was scheduled to interact with ex- servicemen and hold meetings with party officials from block to state level.